[Engineering ω-transaminase by random mutagenesis and semi-rational design for the synthesis of...

(R)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine is a key chiral intermediate for the synthesis of calcimimetic drug cinacalcet hydrochloride. ω-Transaminase has been considered to be potential for producing (R)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine by asymmetric reduction of 1-acetonaphthone. Here, ω-transaminase from Arthrobacter sp. was engineered by combinatorial strategies of random mutagenesis and semi-rational design. Variants F225M, C281I, F225M/C281I with improved catalytic efficiency and thermostability were obtained. Compared with WT, variant F225M/C281I showed 85% increased kcat, 56% decreased Km and 3.42-fold kcat/Km. Furthermore, 22% higher conversion rate was achieved by F225M/C281I at 10 mmol/L 1-acetonaphthone after 24 h. Based on molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, improved catalytic efficiency of F225M/C281I could be attributed to its increased Pi-Pi T-shaped interaction with substrate 1-acetonaphthone. Additionally, a slightly higher half-life of F225M/C281I was validated by its lower root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) value of loop 134-139 compared with WT.